(Paris) New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
Posted at 1:25 p.m.
Pandemic: booster doses, not a “viable” strategy (WHO)
Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with booster doses of current vaccines is not a viable strategy, experts from the World Health Organization warned on Tuesday, calling for vaccines that better prevent transmission.
“A vaccination strategy based on repeated reminders” of the first vaccines “is unlikely to be appropriate or viable,” said in a statement this group of experts responsible for supervising vaccines against the coronavirus.
Omicron: more than 50% of Europeans infected within two months (WHO)
More than half of Europeans could be affected by the Omicron variant within two months in view of the current “tidal wave”, also estimated the WHO, two years after the announcement of the first death officially linked to the coronavirus in China .
This rapid transmission of Omicron, including people previously infected or vaccinated, has led to an increase in hospitalizations, but the death rate remains stable.
3e confined city in China
A third city, that of Anyang, which has 5 million inhabitants in central China, has in turn been placed in quarantine after the emergence of cases of COVID-19, including the Omicron strain.
New charges against Johnson
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson risks being targeted by a police investigation into a garden party in Downing Street in 2020, in full lockdown, an embarrassing new revelation for the government.
Germany: police criticized for use of anti-COVID-19 “app”
Mainz police have drawn criticism for using an anti-COVID-19 tracking app in late 2021 to help bars and restaurants register their customers and supposedly ensure data protection.
Poland crosses 100,000 deaths
More than 100,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Poland since the start of the pandemic, the government said on Tuesday.
This country, where only 63% of adults are fully immunized, has the sixth highest death rate in the world.
Emirates: mocking COVID-19 measures can lead to jail
The authorities of the United Arab Emirates have warned that people making fun of the anticovid measures risked imprisonment, following the appearance on social networks of photos and videos inciting in particular non-compliance with the precautionary rules.
Bulgarian leaders in quarantine
Bulgarian President Roumen Radev, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and a dozen senior officials were placed in isolation on Tuesday after attending a meeting with the head of parliament, who tested positive.
Australian Open: Djokovic’s participation still pending
World tennis number 1 Novak Djokovic was training on Tuesday at the Australian Open venue, six days before the start of the competition and the day after his legal victory against the Australian government and his release. His participation in the tournament is still pending, as his visa may once again be canceled.
More than 5.49 million dead
The pandemic has killed 5,494,101 worldwide since the end of December 2019, according to a report established by AFP from official sources Tuesday at 6 a.m.
In absolute terms, the United States is the most bereaved country with 839,500 dead, followed by Brazil (620,091), India (484,213) and Russia (317,687).
Among the hardest hit countries, Peru is the one with the highest death toll relative to its population, followed by Bosnia and Hungary.
However, the World Health Organization estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to COVID-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher than that officially recorded.